12.07.11

Though I’m hardly overcome with excitement over the prospect of Andres Torres patrolling Citi Field’s less spacious center field next season, here’s saluting Mets GM Sandy Alderson for Tuesday’s acquisitions of relievers Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez and chair-tossing specialist Frank Francisco. Outside of injuries and finances, the inability of the 2010 Mets bullpen to do much during the season’s second half besides pour kerosene would be the primary cause of Terry Collins’ secret life as a serial killer anxiety. That Alderson has actually spent some portion of the funds saved by not retaining Chris Capuano or Jose Reyes is only slightly less encouraging than the sums & expectations being halfway realistic. And most importantly, the Citi Field A/V dept can get ready to play the following classic each time Rauch emerges from pen.